For those of you with a low gpa at a target, how many interviews did you get (SA)
Hello,
I know there was a thread earlier on this topic, but most of the responses were from people with high GPAs. Currently at a target school (Ross/Stern/McIntire) with a 3.3 going through the recruiting cycle for SA. I've been struggling to get interviews and wonder if it's due to my low gpa, as I have had multiple internships (currently doing one at a MM PE shop). For those of you that had a relatively low GPA, how many interviews did you get?
Thank you
bump
Mh I personally had a 3.4 at UPenn and received Interviews at all major BB and also EB and ended up with a offer from (GS/MS/JPM/BAML). I would worry so much about your GPA, 3.3 is still fine as you can see from my example.
Hope that helps
One of these is not like the others
Good luck at BAML this summer
Wharton?
had similar gpa but quite a few relevant exp and still received interviews at some banks/carlyle/some hfs, etc. If you have a valid reason and can show an upwards trend in your gpa it will in most cases be fine. Focus on networking more
Who did you let know about the valid reason and the upwards trend in the gpa (e.g. did you mention it while networking, include in your cover letter?)
I wouldn't call those schools "targets"
But to actually be helpful, it'll be extremely tough. The BBs are just absurdly competitive these days and so many kids have insanely high GPAs its easy for banks to apply a universal screen. Keep hustling for BB/EB positions but I'd be prepared to fall back to a MM firm. I've seen a number of people with low GPAs (sub 3.4) go that route before lateraling to a GS/MS/JPM type firm after a year or two. At that point your actual experience becomes more important.
What do you call targets then / why not those schools?
Not being combative, genuinely want to know since you seem pretty experienced.
you're at a school where placement will be good if you have strong grades, good experience, and interview well. Being weak on one of these fronts can only hurt you. When you have a low GPA and you're not getting interviews, it's because (1) your other stuff isn't strong enough to compensate and (2) your grades are too low. In the short term, the only thing you can do is to perfect your resume based on whatever you have, prep well so you ace whatever you get, and network to expand your opportunity set.
If it helps you to know "how many interviews will I get", my personal experience at HYPS is that 3.3 without a stellar track record doesn't get you anywhere (getting one interview would be considered a good outcome) as far as BB/EB/MBB goes, but it gets you somewhere if you expand the list of companies you look at.
What about Brown/Cornell/Dartmouth?
Ahh yes, I've heard those Ivy League schools are pretty much trash, would rather go to community college
I was a 3.4 from a LAC in Midwest (oberlin/grinnell/macalester/Carleton) and ended up at a tier 2 BB by sheer force of hustling..my work experience was good and people have told me I come across gregarious...don’t let some Fools tell you that it can’t be done. Use that as a motivation to push through.
Hey appreciate your post. Not to go too off track but how did you find the 3.4 from the LAC affected your PE recruiting?
Dinged from 1st rounds at all BBs and EBs with a 3.5 at a top target even with networking with alumni and friends at most banks. I also had legitimate finance internship experience prior. If you're a straight non-URM male, GPA matters more than you'd think.
This was explicitly told to me by upperclassmen who had gone through the recruiting process. I was also told by my close GS/MS/JPM IBD contact if I could "raise my GPA in any way possible" on my resume.
Damn, that sucks to hear. Where did you ultimately end up?
Ultimately ended up at an industry specific boutique - think FT Partners, MTS etc. Actually looking back I did get a couple interviews at places that could be considered EBs, but they required a very close connection/s that I've known for a while and were willing to put my resume in front of the right people. If I had prepared better and killed those interviews, then maybe things would be different.
But if you go to a top target, have a lower GPA and don't get an BB or EB interview, things will still be fine and there are plenty of other great opportunities in finance to recruit for. Just don't expect interviews at the better banks with a lower GPA, unless you have prior banking intern experience, strong connections or if you're female/URM.
It was your bad interviewing that got you dinged not your GPA
Thanks Captain Obvious, that's why I said "If I had prepared better and killed those interviews, then maybe things would be different".
I am referring to dings as in did not receive 1st round interviews at most banks, as opposed to having several interviews and failing them as you are implying. Obviously once you receive an interview invite, GPA has minimal bearing on your ability to get an offer (notwithstanding two equally as good interviewees and GPA or other measures might be used as a tiebreaker).
But this isn't what the OP asked? Maybe if you scored higher on the reading comprehension section of the SAT you could've gone to a target as well. Yes I had a couple first round interviews, but much less than many of my higher GPA peers which is helpful for OP, who is actually attending a target school, to be aware of.
Go to a public school right now, had friends with 3.3-3.5 get interviews across the street if they networked: EB, BB, you name it. This board blames a lot on being from a target or being diversity but once you network enough to get that interview its all on you.
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